It's a set piece, it's a header, it's a goal, It's Chad Marshall. The Brothers talk about the unassuming defender that played exclusively in MLS and finished with the best career for a defender in MLS history, including the most Defender of the Year awards by a player ever. Sources: Extratime Bobby Warshaw on the Chad Marshall Theorem https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2018/11/07/wiebe-must-win-seattle-sans-chad-marshall-four-reasons-be-worried Productivity, Longevity and Nudity ...
Aug 24, 2020•54 min•Season 2Ep. 4
The third entry to the brother's MLS Hall of Fame is Dwayne De Rosario. An MLS legend and Canadian legend that didn't make it to MLS until 23 and didn't become a starter until 26 but put together an all time career including a record six MLS Best XIs. Also hear about the most interesting year of any MLS player, his 2011 MVP season. Sources: Highs and Lows of Dero by Kristan Henaege for the Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2011/dec/23/dwayne-de-rosario-dc-united-vegan ...
Aug 14, 2020•50 min•Season 2Ep. 3
The DC United talisman, Jaime Moreno, is the second person in our first class of MLS Hall of Fame. The first person into the 100/100 club, learn about how Moreno grew up in the same academy as Marco Etcheverry, became the first Bolivian in the EPL before landing in MLS. He would have almost two careers across two eras filled with stats and trophies. Donate to Jaime Moreno's GoFundMe to help with his medical bills: https://www.gofundme.com/f/supporting-our-all-time-legend-jaime-moreno Watch ...
Aug 07, 2020•40 min•Season 2Ep. 2
The brothers kick of season 2 with our series of the first 25 players that should enter the MLS Hall of Fame (as soon as it's made). The first name leading the way in our MLS Hall of Fame? Who else but the greatest American player of all time, Landon Donovan. Learn about his merit, honors and his story on getting to MLS and Neetol's favorite Landon goal in MLS. Sources Bio: http://www.jockbio.com/Bios/Donovan_Landon/Donovan_bio.html Video on SJ comeback:. https://www.youtube.com/watch?...
Jul 31, 2020•1 hr•Season 2Ep. 1
Tutul and Neetol come out of their hibernation to announce season 2, which will have two seperate series: 25 Stories That Made Women's Soccer in the US 25 Stories Of Should Be MLS Hall of Famers. That's right 50 episodes coming your way. Also they chat about the MLS is Back Tournament.
Jul 25, 2020•35 min
How passionate fans of the Columbus Crew organized, protested and eventually saved the Crew and what it means to be a fan moving forward. Sources: Shout out to Keith Naas @Knass who helped proofread the outline How Columbus #SavedTheCrew by Arlo Moore-Bloom https://www.wbur.org/onlyagame/2019/11/08/columbus-crew-mls-save-the-crew Precourt takes thoughtful approach in Remaking the Crew https://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2015/07/27/Franchises/Anthony-Precourt.aspx Columbus Crew Ang...
Mar 27, 2020•32 min•Season 1Ep. 25
How a bond between a player and a coach resulted in an unbelievable but for an MLS Expansion team, the largest sale in MLS history and an opening of an unprecedented pipeline of Latin American talent. Sources: Lanús acordó la incorporación del volante Miguel Almirón https://www.espn.com.ar/noticias/nota/_/id/2435943/lanus-acordo-la-incorporacion-del-volante-miguel-almiron http://sportwitness.co.uk/exclusive-agent-confirms-arsenal-approach-player-delighted-sign/ Atlanta United signs Miguel Almiró...
Mar 26, 2020•31 min•Season 1Ep. 24
How a Canadian phenom who's parents escaped a Liberian Civil War to settle in Edmonton eventually became MLS' greatest export and glimpse to the future it may hold. Sources: Sources: The War in Liberia by Sarah Left https://www.theguardian.com/world/2003/aug/04/westafrica.qanda Becoming Canadian - The Alphonso Davies Story https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zqt5u1jtvGw Why Bayern Munich, the two paths of Alphonso Davies https://www.bavarianfootballworks.com/2019/8/29/20836276/bayern-munic...
Mar 25, 2020•31 min•Season 1Ep. 23
How two new clubs, Atlanta United and LAFC, in MLS embraced the 3.0 model and became the giants in the league from spending, relevance and marketing. Sources: Bernie Marcus and Arthur Blank for the Entreprenuer https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/197614 Home Depot Founder To Buy Falcons by the AP https://www.wired.com/2001/12/home-depot-founder-to-buy-falcons/ Falcons Owner Puts In Bid For MLS Franchise https://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/soccer/2008-10-14-4126789750_x.htm Atlanta Might Be C...
Mar 24, 2020•29 min•Season 1Ep. 21
How a report from a consultant group led to a new salary mechanism which propelled player spending in MLS to new heights. Sources: Inside the Confidential 2016 Study That Provided The Blueprint From MLS Modern Era by Paul Tenorio & Pablo Maurer https://theathletic.co.uk/1362372/2019/11/08/inside-the-confidential-2016-study-that-provided-the-blueprint-for-mlss-modern-era/ https://www.mlssoccer.com/glossary/targeted-allocation-money MLS HQ Denials of TAM Contracts Frustrating Front Offices by ...
Mar 23, 2020•34 min•Season 1Ep. 21
How four American stars were developed in MLS, got sold to Europe, had success and then returned to have more success and money than could've been imagined. SOURCES: How Seattle’s Stunning Clint Dempsey Deal Got Done by Grant Wahl https://www.si.com/soccer/2013/08/05/clint-dempsey-seattle-sounders-mls Beasley Angered by MLS Decision by Rupert Lowe for Daily Echo https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/5571343.beasley-angered-by-mls-decision/ Texas Tough: Dempsey’s Upbringing in Naco-Nowhere Led to...
Mar 12, 2020•51 min•Season 1Ep. 20
In our most technical episode yet, the brothers talk about how each collective bargaining agreement evolved player movement and salary spends of MLS that has helped shape the league today. Sources: Old MLS CBA Expires But No Strike Imminent by Brian Lewis https://nypost.com/2010/02/25/old-mls-cba-expires-but-no-strike-imminent/ Players Want Big Changes In MLS Structure by Simon Evans https://www.reuters.com/article/us-soccer-mls-dispute/players-want-big-changes-in-mls-league-structure-union-idUS...
Mar 05, 2020•48 min•Season 1Ep. 19
How the MLS team in Kansas City went from being last in attendance and fan engagement to being a model MLS franchise that's always sold out - one of the best turnarounds in all of sports. Sources: Special thanks to Mike McGrew and Mike Kuhn Lamar Hunt Sells MLS Wizards to Local Group http://www.espn.com/espn/wire/_/section/soccer/id/2567849 Serious Investment and Savvy Marketing Revive Soccer In Kansas City by Sam Borden https://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/24/sports/soccer/soccer-in-the-us-hear...
Feb 27, 2020•30 min•Season 1Ep. 18
How MLS' Homegrown Rule pushed MLS teams to nurture young talent in their academies and why it took so long to take hold and meet it's full potential. Sources: Local Goalie Careers Poised to Go Global by Paul Tenorio for Washington Post https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/25/AR2009052502163.html LA Galaxy Sign 17 Year Old Tristan Bowen https://web.archive.org/web/20081204142629/http://web.mlsnet.com/news/team_news.jsp?ymd=20081112&content_id=203406&vke...
Feb 24, 2020•43 min•Season 1Ep. 17
How the supporter culture and following of MLS teams led to the creation of one of the three main trophies & the eventual expansion into 3 new teams. Sources: A History of the Supporters Shield by Ryan Gates for Stumptown Footy https://www.stumptownfooty.com/2011/2/15/1995978/a-history-of-the-supporters-shield A Pacific Passion Play by Grant Wahl for SI https://www.si.com/vault/2011/05/23/106070650/a-pacific-passion-play https://web.archive.org/web/20071012230838/http://seattletimes.nwsource...
Feb 20, 2020•37 min•Season 1Ep. 16
Neetol grades every new MLS Jersey from a designer's point of view. Tutul chimes in with some marketing points.
Feb 08, 2020•1 hr 6 min
How two corrupt CONCACAF officials made Concacaf Champions League which eventually propelled MLS to improve their quality of play. Sources: https://bleacherreport.com/articles/138326-soccer-in-north-america-part-2-much-ado-about-superliga http://real-football.blogspot.com/2006/10/mls-answers-to-20-questions-for-don.html https://www.nydailynews.com/sports/soccer/chuck-blazer-informant-key-player-fifa-arrest-scandal-article-1.2238143 https://www.forbes.com/sites/bobbymcmahon/2017/12/26/two-found-g...
Feb 08, 2020•44 min•Season 1Ep. 15
How the largest signing in league history, David Beckham, happened in the first place and how it changed the direction of MLS forever. The brothers talk about how and why the Designated Player happened, how Blanco was the better player in the early years and why it took a few years before everyone started to spend money on Designated Players. Sources: Looking back at fires last big signing by Guillermo Rivera for Chicago Now http://www.chicagonow.com/fire-confidential/2017/05/looking-back-at-the...
Feb 05, 2020•1 hr•Season 1Ep. 14
An early BONUSODE at the pods halfway point. The brothers discuss the state of the pod and give shoutouts (04:10), talk about Gressel and Chicharito (13:55), and close with comparing the players in this January camp vs the team that lost in Trinidad in 2017 (29:15).
Jan 27, 2020•57 min
How MLS expanded into Canada for the first time, stepping into MLS 2.0 for the first time. The brothers also talk about the long windy road that made the circumstances right for Toronto FC to join the league. Sources: “A nice little job to learn stuff by” By Duncan Fletcher for SB Nation: https://www.wakingthered.com/2013/9/9/4705472/tfc-a-nice-little-job-for-anselmi-to-learn-stuff-by-richard-peddie-tom-anselmi-mlse Maple Leaf Owners Through The Ages by Jeremy Sandler for the National Post: http...
Jan 23, 2020•35 min•Season 1Ep. 13
How the business plan and strategy that saved the league also came with a bad side: the relocation of a storied franchise. Luckily it works out in the long run for the San Jose Earthquakes. Sources: What now for Columbus? Learning From the Earthquakes Relocation And Retrun by Scott French for Four Four Two https://www.fourfourtwo.com/us/features/what-now-columbus-crew-history-san-jose-earthquakes-relocation-houston-return Earthquakes Look At Houston by Graham Jones for LA Times https://www.latim...
Jan 22, 2020•34 min•Season 1Ep. 12
How MLS's first true star to penetrate pop culture came in a 14 year old, Freddy Adu in 2004. Sources: A 12-YEAR OLD’s AMAZING FEAT by Jason La Canfora for Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/2001/08/25/a-12-year-olds-amazing-feat/9923da6b-4f3d-4f9a-bd31-bb67449c437f/ READY FOR FREDDY? AT 14, FREDDY ADU IS ALREADY THE HIGHEST PAID AND MOST CELEBRATED PLAYER IN MLS by Grant Wahl for Sports Illustrated: https://www.si.com/vault/2004/03/29/366282/ready-for-freddy-a...
Jan 09, 2020•44 min•Season 1Ep. 11
How MLS went from 3 owners and 10 teams in 2003 to 6 owners and 12 teams in 2005. Includes the new owner for Colorado Rapids, and the entry of Chivas USA and Real Salt Lake. Source: From Owner to Quietest Sports Emperor by Jere Longman https://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/15/sports/soccer/15owner.html Mexico’s Chivas to Play MLS All-Stars by Grahame Jones https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-jun-24-sp-chivas24-story.html 2 Decades of MLS https://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2015...
Jan 01, 2020•33 min•Season 1Ep. 10
The brothers talk about what to look forward to in the new year including the new schedule, CBA negotiations and our wishes for the next MLS season.
Jan 01, 2020•42 min
How a co-venture between US Soccer and MLS brought a new pipeline of talent into the league.
Dec 13, 2019•18 min•Season 1Ep. 9
Early MLS had some weird rules. No ties. Running shootouts. Clocks going up and not down. 4th subs for goalkeepers. What's weirder were some of the rules they were looking at, like bigger goals or kick-ins instead of throw ins. Listen to how Don Garber, the internet and Bob Bradley each had a hand in ending those rules. Sources: https://www.complex.com/sports/2015/05/oral-history-major-league-soccer-first-season An Oral History of Major League Soccer’s Frenzied First Season by Doug Sibor ht...
Dec 09, 2019•30 min•Season 1Ep. 8
How Tim Howard was scouted as a prospect, became an MLS star and eventually transferred to the best team in the world. Sources: https://www.coloradorapids.com/post/2019/04/11/thankyoutim-howard-recalls-historic-transfer-mls-manchester-united https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bxnHbC-hYOw https://www.si.com/vault/2003/08/11/347775/a-keeper-of-promise-tim-howard-a-24-year-old-from-new-jersey-could-be-the-first-american-to-start-in-goal-for-world-powerhouse-manchester-united...
Dec 05, 2019•29 min•Season 1Ep. 7
How a former US national lacrosse and soccer player became the most accomplished coach in MLS and US Soccer history. Sources: Hidden Caps - Bruce Arena’s Appearance in Israel by Tom Dunmore https://web.archive.org/web/20130117223126/http://www.ussoccer.com/news/centennial/01/hidden-caps-arena.aspx Dissecting Bruce Arena’s Legacy https://www.fourfourtwo.com/us/features/bruce-arena-legacy-oral-history-through-eyes-those-around-him-mls-usmnt-la-galaxy?page=0%2C2 “USMNT competing at World Cup with C...
Dec 02, 2019•25 min•Season 1Ep. 6
The brothers take a break from the 25 Stories to thank those who are listening and to then debate the merits of Promotion / Relegation in the US. 2:00 - Thank you to the listeners 9:00 - Let's talk Pro / Rel
Nov 28, 2019•35 min•Season 1Ep. 6
The brothers talk about the most important meeting in Major League Soccer history. Sources: Garber Opens Up on SUM’s role in US Soccer / MLS by Grant Wahl for SI https://www.si.com/soccer/2018/01/25/sum-soccer-united-marketing-garber-gulati-carter MLS goes to near extinction to remarkable success by Kevin Baxter for LA times - https://www.latimes.com/sports/soccer/la-sp-soccer-baxter-20151206-story.html Don Garber “Truly an Honor” by German Sferra for US Soccer https://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2...
Nov 25, 2019•28 min•Season 1Ep. 5
